Irish Snipers Beat Out US Marines, Rangers

Put down that Guinness.

A team of Irish snipers beat U.S. Marines and Army Rangers in the 14th annual International Sniper Competition recently held at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Here's what Ben Wright, a reporter for The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper, wrote about the potentially historic achievement:

'The two-man team, who didn't want their names or photos used, emerged as the winner in a field of 36 teams from around the world. A team from the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at the post was second, and a U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry-West took third place in the four-day competition that pushed soldiers mentally and physically for 96 hours.

Col. William Thigpen, commander of the 316 Cavalry Brigade, pointed to consistency as the key to success for the Ireland team over the course of 16 events. Teams were tested in long-range marksmanship, observation, target detection, stalking, reconnaissance and reporting and the ability to move with stealth while concealed.

'They demonstrated the most consistency across the board," Thigpen said ... 'I'm almost positive this is the first international team to win the competition," the commander said. 'We are fair in everything we do. That's how the numbers registered. They were the best team in 2015.'"

Caption: Sgt. Wilberto Garcia (near) and Sgt. Bryan Coslett (far), both infantrymen with 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, take aim at targets during a pistol range Oct. 22, 2015, during the International Sniper Competition, at Fort Benning, Ga. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Laidacker)

Caption: Sgt. Bryan Coslett (above) and Sgt. Wilberto Garcia (below), both infantrymen with 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, drag a 195 pound sled before starting a rifle event Oct. 22, 2015, during the International Sniper Competition at Fort Benning, Ga. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Laidacker)

Featured photo attribution: Staff Sgt. Desmond McClellan (near) and Sgt. Cameron Pope (left), infantrymen of 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, identify and shoot targets Oct. 19, 2015, while their coach and supervisor, Staff Sgt. Tom Appledorn, watches close by during the International Sniper Competition on Fort Benning, Ga. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joshua Laidacker)